Claim of two 'graves rising' on a house floor stirs Agailjhara in Barisal; police say matter will be investigated

A family's claim that two graves miraculously rose through the floor of their home has caused a stir in Kadambari village of Bakal Union, in Barisal's Agailjhara upazila. Men and women have been flocking there in hope of cures through ritual healing, blessed oil and treatment for various illnesses.

The house belongs to van driver Salam Bepari. Family members claim that on October 26, at around 10am, one grave rose on the floor of their dwelling house, and that at around midnight the same day a second grave rose beside it. The family claims the two graves are those of Boro Pir Abdul Qader Jilani and Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Some local people, however, believe the claim is false and fabricated, and the incident has set the area abuzz.

Local sources said on Monday (November 2) afternoon that Salam Bepari's son Sajib Bepari has been offering various kinds of treatment through meditation for the past six months. Between 40 and 50 men and women come to him for treatment every day, and the number of patients rises on Mondays. Since the news spread, curious onlookers have been crowding in to see the graves, and the number of people seeking treatment has also increased.

On the spot, the two grave-like places on the floor were seen covered with new gamchhas (thin towels) and flower garlands. One is two cubits long and the other three cubits. A barricade of rope tied to bamboo poles has been placed beside them.

Sajib's mother Shiuli Begum said: 'My son Sajib was ill for a long time. Treatment in various places did not cure him. Six months ago, after receiving a dream, he began meditating at home, recovered himself, and has treated various people back to health.'

Sajib Bepari, who worked as a hotel bearer before falling ill, said: 'For a long time I have been treating people with herbs and ritual healing while seated in meditation. Suddenly, on the morning of October 26, a grave rose on the floor of my house. That same night another grave rose on the floor of the same house.' He claims the two graves are those of Boro Pir Abdul Qader Jilani and Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Maulana Fazlul Haque, pesh imam of Agailjhara Central Jame Mosque, said that in the view of Islam there is no precedent or basis for such an incident. If the administration investigates, the real facts will come out, he said.

Agailjhara police station officer-in-charge Mohammad Masud Khan said the whole incident would be investigated and further action taken. Agailjhara upazila nirbahi officer Nirupam Majumdar said steps would be taken after an on-site inspection.